This picture of the newly constructed mod house at 12th and John is all over the design blogs today. Designer PB Elemental appears to have mounted a promo campaign for their project. With pictures like this, no wonder it worked. We propose this design be discussed as a solution at Saturday’s townhome forum. Just have to figure out how to mass produce at scale.
More interior shots and information on this post.
Also, an interesting question in the comments:
How well does the design fit within the neighborhoods existing flavor? Did you take into consideration the architecture that already exists in the neighborhood?
I only walk or drive past it so the floor-to-ceiling windows in the master bedroom only, ahem, flash by. Don’t know what the neighbors think. You?
I’ve been watching this house take shape since my office is just across the street. I was wondering what rooms were facing the street with those big windows. I like the look of it, but at this point it truly is a different look than anything else on the street. I quite surprised, though, to see baseboard heaters in the house. With a listing of over $900K, I’d think that there would be a better heating system in place. I read that the house is open on Sunday… might have to drop in and take a closer look.
The baseboard heaters use water to heat them.
very interesting question in the comments…it is kind of an eyesore, coming from someone kiddy corner to this place. it just sticks out like a sore thumb.
I totally disagree. I live across the alley from this house and it definantly stick out for two reasons, it’s how houses should look and it is next to a gaping whole of current construction (which will probably be 10 hotrrible faux craftsman homes with a 20′ parking court) which when built will surround this home. I also really appreciate all the windows, having eyes on the street makes it seem safer. (and if the new owner wants privacy sometime why not get blinds/shades, seems like a reasonable solution) But at least in our overcast Seattle this person would have light!
I agree with Dell. I think its n amazing addition to our neighborhood, and exactly right for its capitol hill location.
Check out this blog http://ghcollab.blogspot.com/2008/05/15th-and-denny-vs-12th-
I think the article below gives a pretty good perspective. Some people don’t like new development regardless of architectural style. Living in a city that is bound to increase in population and density we are going to see a wide range of architectural styles that not everyone is going to love, that’s OK and to be expected. The simple fact that modern architecture is being built shows that there is a demand for homes like 12th + John. In any infill neighborhood in Seattle without replicating the existing architecture there is going to be change. Is a changing neighborhood bad? Pb’s homes typically do make an architectural statement, the same statement that is resonating from the buyers that people in Seattle (maybe not the neighbor next door) are tired of builders replicating century old architectural style.
http://ghcollab.blogspot.com/2008/05/15th-and-denny-vs-12th-
“The simple fact that modern architecture is being built shows that there is a demand for homes like 12th + John.”
Umm, no. The sheer fact that someone built it doesn’t mean there’s a demand for it. See Miami, San Diego, the entire Inland Empire, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and now Seattle for examples of homes being built with no demand.
The listing price is amazing at $912K. What it actually sells for will give us an idea of what the demand for houses like that are in this area.
Fundamentally, I agree with you. Pb’s homes are full of character and designed with care and an understanding of family and neighborhood dynamics most larger firms don’t get. To me, it’s the opposite of the rows of identical housing lining the hillsides of Issaquah. This home is full of character, just like it’s neighborhood.
As someone who lives in a nearby location (although in a house that is 100 years older) I see a fundamental problem with the siting of the house and something I’m not sure the architects considered: Those huge windows for the master bedroom face east. Unless the occupants like waking with the sun everyday they will have to get black out shades/curtains – something that sort of defeats the purpose of the openness/”voyeurism”/visibility of the home. We live with the same issue and black out shades are the only way to keep that 5am morning light out of the room.
It would seem more appropriate to have such huge windows facing in a different direction. And who really want to look out on 12th and that busy intersection? Look around along 12th – most people keep their curtains closed for privacy and/or because of the sunlight.
I’m glad that a single home was built here instead of more townhouses. And I understand that the architects are probably trying to make a statement and putting the home in a fairly visible location but it seems like they focused on the architecture over the livability to a degree.